Sakic has a lot to say about the acquisition of Lehkonen and reveals why he agreed to the trade
When the Habs traded Artturi Lehkonen to the Colorado Avalanche at the trade deadline, some pundits had mentioned that he could be the missing piece to the team's Stanley Cup win.
The Finnish forward proved the organization right to get him, as he had a great series and even scored the winning goal in Game 6 to help his team win the trophy for the first time in 21 years.Lehkonen, who scored the goal that propelled the Canadiens to the finals last year, was extremely happy after the game when Renaud Lavoie of TVA Sports spoke with him on the ice.
"I feel so good. Tonight's was in the second period. So I was crossing my fingers that we'd manage to hold on."
The former Habs man also looked back on the roller-coaster season he's just been through, having been traded to the Avalanche at the trade deadline for Justin Barron and a second-round pick in 2024.
"It's been a roller coaster of emotions. Getting traded, getting here, winning the Stanley Cup. It's an incredible feeling."
But the big man responsible for Lehkonen coming to Colorado is undoubtedly the Avalanche's general manager, one Joe Sakic.
We had mentioned to you a few days ago that he had insisted to Kent Hughes to acquire him at the trade deadline and let's just say that he is very happy with the turn of events.
"He's made a big difference in our journey. From day one, he was a perfect addition to our team. There weren't even any adjustments. Besides, the way he plays, I think he could serve any team. He always plays the right way. He's so smart and competitive."
"We just had to see him play in the playoffs last year to understand that he would be a perfect addition to our team, that his style would blend in with the style we like to play."
He's so good defensively that's what jumps out at people. But he's a guy who is able to score and make little plays that you don't notice."
He's so good defensively that's what jumps out at people. But he's a guy who is able to score and make little plays that you don't notice."
Lehkonen, who finished the playoffs with 14 points, including eight goals in 20 games, will be a restricted free agent this summer and with his playoff run, it's a safe bet that the former No. 19 Nordiques won't hesitate to offer him a new contract.
| POLL | ||
June 28 | 233 answers Sakic has a lot to say about the acquisition of Lehkonen and reveals why he agreed to the trade How much money does Artturi Lehkonen deserve on his next contract? | ||
| 3 years, 3M per year | 30 | 12.9 % |
| 4 years, 4M per year | 92 | 39.5 % |
| 5 years, 3.5M per year | 37 | 15.9 % |
| 4 years, 5M per year | 74 | 31.8 % |
| LIST OF POLL | ||
Latest 10 stories
TOP 5
| LEADERS | ||||||||
| GP | G | A | PTS | |||||
| 1- NIKITA KUCHEROV | 81 | 44 | 100 | 144 | ||||
| 2- NATHAN MACKINNON | 82 | 51 | 89 | 140 | ||||
| 3- CONNOR MCDAVID | 76 | 32 | 100 | 132 | ||||
| 4- ARTEMI PANARIN | 82 | 49 | 71 | 120 | ||||
| 5- DAVID PASTRNAK | 82 | 47 | 63 | 110 | ||||
| 6- AUSTON MATTHEWS | 81 | 69 | 38 | 107 | ||||
| 7- LEON DRAISAITL | 81 | 41 | 65 | 106 | ||||
| 8- MIKKO RANTANEN | 80 | 42 | 62 | 104 | ||||
| 9- J.T. MILLER | 81 | 37 | 66 | 103 | ||||
| 10- WILLIAM NYLANDER | 82 | 40 | 58 | 98 | ||||
| 2023-2024 LEADERS | ||||||||
FOLLOW US
 |  |  |
| 81 984 followers | ||